Coupling



W. O. THOMAS COUPLING June 30; 1936.

Original Filed July 28, 1935 10 l mon Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATES COUPLING William 0. Thomas, Anderson, Ind.

Application July 28, 1933, Serial No. 682,678 Renewed May 21, 1936 2 Claims.

This invention relates to couplings and its general object is to provide a coupling for connecting together electrical conductors and other devices to which my coupling is applicable, in an easy, expeditious and. secure manner, and against both endwise and circumferential displacement relative to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupling of the character set forth, that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and extremely eiiicient in use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing'wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure l is a plan view illustrating my invention in a form to interconnect opposed terminals of electrical conductors.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken appro mately on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the com- 30 panion members of the electrical coupling separated.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of the electrical coupling or connector.

-Figure 6 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 66 of Figure 5.

. Referring to the drawing in detail, and particularly to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive I provide apair of companion members II and I2 that are formed from insulating material and each of. the members II and I2 are provided with passageways through which pass the conductors as shown. The conductors have formed on their adjacent ends, enlarged terminals l3 providing heads which are received in contact with the ends of bores arranged centrally and longitudinally of the respective members I l and I2, and these bores cooperate with each other to provide a chamber for a fuse l4, the chamber being indicated by the reference numeral I5. It will be noted that the ends of the bores whichprovide the chamber ii are substantially conical shape and the heads are shaped accordingly to fit the same. By that construction, it will be obvious that the conductors are held associated with the coupling and withdrawal thereof is impossible. The fuse is of (Cl. MO-1.15.5)

slots l6 and I! are inclined toward the outer end of the member I2 in a substantiallyspiral manner, and the member l2-has arranged in a a longitudinally disposed slot 23 for the purpose of receiving the head 24 of a pawl 25 which'is pivoted as at 26 in a groove 21 arranged longitudiiially in the member II. The pawl in this form of the invention is likewise spring pressed through the instrumentality of a coil spring 28 so as to urge the head 24 in the groove 23 when the members are associated, as clearly shown in Figure2.

A passage 29 is provided in the member l2, and the passage extends at an inclination from the chamber [5, and is for the purpose of= providing an air vent for the chamber.

In the modified form of the electrical coupling acter 30 indicates an electric wall outlet or socket member, and 3| indicates a plug for attachment to the outlet 30, as clearly shown in Figure 5.

Formed with the outlet or socket member are inwardly extending diametrically oppositely disposed lugs 32 and 33 to be received in circumstrip portion disposed inwardly of the groove I6 16 as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the reference char- ,30

ferentially and somewhat spirally extending" tially arranged portions of the bayonet slots-34 and 35, the plug will be securely associated with the socket member, with the electric contact elements of the plug engaging the corresponding contact elements of the socket member as clearly shown in Figure 5.

From the above description and disclosure or.

the drawing, it will be obvious that I have provided a coupling that can be associated with different types of electrical devices for securing companion members thereof against casual displacement, and to assure a positive engagement of the contact elements thereof.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes inthe construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An electrical coupling comprising a pair of companion members formed from insulating materialand having centrally arranged longitudinally disposed bores therein with like arranged passageways extending from the outer ends of the bores, said passageways receiving conductors having enlarged terminals providing heads disposed in the bores and fitting and contacting the ends-thereof to prevent withdrawal of the conductors from the members, one of said members being provided with bayonet slots and a groove, the latter extending longitudinally of its member, lugs formed with the other member and receivable in the bayonet slots, latching means for said members and including a pawl carried by said other member, a head on one end oi. said pawl and being receivable in the groove for cooperationwith the lugs and bayonet slots to hold the members. together. against circumferential and endwise displacement and with the bores in communication with each other to provide a chamber to receive a fuse, the latter having ends shaped to fit the heads for disposal in contact therewith.

' 2. An electrical coupling comprising a pair of companion members formed from insulating material and having centrally arranged longitudina lly disposed bores having conical ends with passageways extending therefrom and through the outer ends of said members, said passageways receiving conductors having enlarged terminals providing heads shaped to fit the conical ends and contacting the same to prevent withdrawal of the conductors through the passageways, means for detachably securing and latching the members together with the bores in communication with each other to provide a chamber adapted to receive a fuse with the ends of the latter in contact with the heads.

WILLIAM 0. THOMAS. 

